Hat ironing machine



May 7, 71946 s. J. MILLER 4HAT IRONING MACHINE Filed March l5, 1943 3Sheets-SheetI l May 7,1946. s. J. MILLER 2,399,932

HAT RONING MACHINE @www5 May 7, 1946.

S. J. MILLER HAT IRONINGMACHINE Filed March l5, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheer:l 3

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Patented May 7, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HAT IRONING MACHINEstephen J. Miller, Danbury, cena.

Application March 15, 1943, Serial No. 479,181

15 Claims.

This invention relates to hat ironing machines, more particularly to amachine for ironing the brims of felt hats, and has for an object toprovide a construction whereby the entiresurface of the brim of the hatmay be uniformly ironed 1 the ironing elements at the points of thesegreater V curvatures than at the flatter portions of the brim. Due tothe transverse curvatures required, it is very difcult to secure uniformpressures and therefore uniform ironing of thev brim across the entirewidth thereof. Uneven pressure of the irons on the surface, due todifferences or changes in temperature, leaves a water mark on thissurface as the surface is not uniformly dried or ironed, and the surfacehas to be done over by l, hand. It is therefore the primary object ofthe present invention to provide a construction whereby this nonuniformdrying or ironing is eliminated to eliminate these water or similarmarks and provide a surface which is uniformly ironed or finished. Thisis accomplished by causing a relative .back and forth movement betweenthe irons and the surface of the brim in a direction transversely of thebrim while the irons are passed around or longitudinally over the brim.

With the foregoing and other objects in view I have devised theconstruction illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part ofthis specification. It is, however, to be understood that the inventionis not limited to the specific construction and arrangement shown, butmay employ various changes and modifications within the scope of thisinvention.

In these drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a machine with certain parts broken awayto more clearly show the construction;

Fig. 2 is a detail section through the ironing head;

Fig, 3' is a plan View of the hat supporting form usual-ly called aflange or block with a hat thereon in ironing operation, parts beingbroken away to more clearly show the construction and relative positionsof the parts, the block being shown in a position during the ironingoperation when the ironing elements are pressed against one side oftherear portion Yof the brim where greater curvature and stiffness isrequired of the brim for giving it strength and maintaining its shape;

Fig. 4 is a rear view of the lower portion of the machine showing partof the operating mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a transverse section substantially on line 5--5 of Fige;

Fig, `(i is a plan View ofthe ironing surfaces of the ironing means,Vand' jme-ans for supporting and operating ,the oval shaped annular hatsupporting block I3.

Mounted within the housing I2 is an oval annular gear I4 which is cut onits outer periphery to form a wormgear I5 meshing with a driving wormt6, the gear I5 being 4a hob-cut worm gear. The worm [E is mounted on adriving shaft I'I mounted in any suitable anti-friction bearings I8.There maybe an ant-friction thrust bearing to take the lateral thrust'of the shaft. The shaft is driven by a pulley 2U on the shaft driven byany suitable means, as the belt 2| from the motor II; Within the housingi2 is a plane surface 22 on which the gear I4 rests and` is. thereforemounted for both rotative movement and limited ,relative sliding orbodily movements While still in mesh `with the Worm IB, for a purposewhich Will'rpresently bedescribed'. `The inner periphery 23 of .thisgear may be of any desired shape depending onV `the ironing effectdesired on the hat brim. In the present showing it is shown as anirregularly shaped curve forming' in effect a cam surface cooperatingwith` suitable guide means to give the motion desired to the gear' as'it is rotated. In the presi-:nt instance `this guiding means comprises apairof rollers 24 and 25 mounted by suitabie antifriction bearings 26 onstuds 2T projecting upwardly from the surface 22, `lvfountedon the gearf4 by any suitable means is' api'atev '28.V `'This plate rests on the`topof the gear and is' secured'in position by any suitable nur nberI ofpins or dowels .2s carried by the plate and extending `into openings 3Uin the. gear and by'screwvsl (not shown). The block I3 is mountedv on ahollow upright support 3i having a bottom wall 32 resting on the top ofthe plate 28. In order to raise this support above the plate this plateis formed with a central boss 33 on which the support is mounted and towhich it may be secured by any suitable means such as the screws 34. Tofacilitate centering the support on the plate the boss 33 may have asmaller boss 35 extending into a central opening in the bottom wall 32of the support. At the upper edges of the side walls of the support 3lare inwardly extending flanges 36 on which the hat block I3 rests. Theblock is secured to the support for easy and quick mounting of the blockthereon and removal therefrom, this being permitted by a pair of uprightpins 31 mounted in the flange 36 and mounted to project into suitableopenings in the bottom of the block. 'I'he block therefore may bequickly mounted on the support by merely placing it on these pins, andit may be removed by merely lifting it olf the pins.

The gear I4 and the plate 28 carried thereby are retained in the housingby an annular top plate 38 secured to the top of the side walls of thehousing by any suitable means, such as the screws 39. This plateprojects inwardly over the gear I4 and the outer portion of the plate 28so as to cover and protect the same as well as retain them in thehousing, but preferably extends between the plate 28 and the base 32 ofthe support 3I so that this base overlaps cover 38 and the opening 40therein to cover this opening and prevent entrance of dirt. The opening40 is made of a size to permit suicient clearance between its sides andthe boss 33 to permit the desired lateral or bodily movements of thegear I4 and the elements carried thereby. As clearly shown in Fig. 1 thehousing I2 and therefore the .surface 22 are inclined at an angle to thehorizontal or vertical for a purpose presently to be described. Thisangle is preferably about 45, but I am not limited to this angle as itmay be varied considerably if desired. The lower part of the housing I2is filled with suitable lubricant for the gear I4.

During the ironing operation the hat is mounted on the flange or blockI3 in the inverted position, as shown in Fig. 1, with the crown 4|extending downwardly through the inner opening in the block and with itsbrim 42 resting on the outer curved surface 43 of the block. It is heldin this position by a covering cloth 44 spread over the top surface ofthe brim and extending down on the outer sides of the block to which itis clamped .by a cord 45 which is clamped about the cloth in the usualmanner with a slip knot, the block being provided with a groove 46 intowhich the cloth is compressed by the cord so that it is positively heldin position on the block. After the hat is placed in position and thecloth properly stretched smoothly over it, the cloth is moistened with asponge or other suitable means for the ironing operation which willpresently be described more in detail.

The ironing means comprises a head 41 including a housing 48 in whichare mounted a plurality of individual ironing elements 49. Each elementhas an ironing surface 50 which is preferably curved in the direction ofthe curvature of the outer surface 43 of the hat block, as shown in Fig.1, but preferably substantially straight or only slightly curved in theother direction as shown in Fig. 7. In order to insure that the entiresurface of the brim is ironed simultaneously a plurality of theseironing elements are arranged in two rows as shown in Fig. 6 andsuiiicient in number to provide an ironing surface extending for thefull width of the brim as shown in Fig. 1, and the ironing elements 49in each row are arranged in alignment with and to extend across the gap5I between the elements of the next row, so that as the ironing elementspass over the surface of the brim all portions of this surface areproperly ironed. It will be understood that in the normal operation ofironing a hat brim the surface being ironed is covered with a cloth,which is moistened at the beginning of the ironing operation, so thatthe ironing elements do not directly contact the surface of the brim.Thus where in the specification and claims it states the ironingelements engage or are pressed against the brim it is not used in alimiting sense to mean the surfaces of the elements are necessarily indirect contact with the surface of the hat, but in a generic sense tomean that they are in ironing relation to the brim although they maycontact the covering cloth rather than the brim itself,

The ironing elements 49 are mounted on suitable supporting bars 52mounted for limited sliding movement within the housing 48 to permit theelements 49 to adjust themselves to properly engage the article beingironed and also to adjust themselves to variations in the contour of thesurface. Each element is pivoted to its supporting member as indicatedat 53 to swing in a direction transversely of the hat block. Also, eachelement is mounted to yield individually of each of the other elementsso that each can assume its proper position and maintain it for the bestironing operation. This permits the proper ironing of different shapesand sizes of brims as they readily adjust themselves to the brim beingironed, it being well known that some brims are much flatter or lesscurved than others, and also that there are various sizes and shapes ofthe flanges or blocks on which the hats are ironed. The ironing elementsare held against vthe surface of the hat by action of coiled springs 54,there being one of these springs for each element preferably mounted asshown in an open frame 55 so that there may be a free circulation of airthrough the springs to keep them cool and prevent their overheating andtherefore losing their temper by heat conducted to them from the heatingelement in the ironing head. At its outer end each spring seats in arecess 56 in the frame and at its other end it embraces an extension 51on a supporting bar 52 and by reacting against the flange 58 on this bartends to shift this bar and the element 49 carried thereby toward thehat, this movement, however, being limited by engagement of the flange58 with any suitable stop means, such for example as the top surface ofthe housing.

The housing 48 comprises a central member 59 having in its opposite sidesurfaces grooves in which the bars 52 are mounted to slide and in whichthey are retained by the side plates 6I secured to the central member byany suitable means such as the screws 62. Extending through the member59 is a curved recess 63 in which is mounted an electric heating element64 from which extends suitable leads 65 to a control switch 66. Thisheating element supplies the necessary heat directly to the bars 52 andthe ironing elements 49 carried thereby. To conserve this heat the innersides of the plates 6I may be recessed to carry an insulation 61 such asasbestos or other suitable material.

The ironing head 41 is pivoted at 68 between the side arms of a forkedlever 69 to swing in a vertical plane and to permit it to adjust itselft allow the surfaces of `the ironing elements `49 to properly anduniformly engage `the surface `of the article being ironed. This 'lever6911s in turn pivotally, mounted to swing in a vertical plane by pivotsinan upright support 1I pivoted on a transverse shaft 12 in a suitablesupporting bracket 13 mounted on the pedestal I0. This support 1| issubstantially U-shape in cross section, and mounted between the sidewalls thereof is a lever arm 14 secured to the transverse shaft 12 whichmay turn in the bracket 13. The support 1I is also free to turn on thisshaft so that the shaft may `turn relative toV this support. The freeend of the lever arm 14, however, is secured to the support 1I by meansof a spring `15 connected at one end to the lever arm 14 `and at itsother 4end to an adjustable bolt 16 mounted in an extension 11 on thesupport 1|. This bolt may be adjusted longitudinally by a hand :nut 18threaded on the bolt to vary the tension 0f the spring 15, .and after.adjustment may be heldin ,adjusted position bya lock nut 19. The support1| has a second extension 80 having a recess 8| in which is mounted acompression. spring B2 reacting at one end against the bottom of therecess and at `its outer end against the arm 83 of the lever 69. Arodr84 passes through the .arm 83 and the inner `wall of the recess 8|and on its inner `end is :provided with a stop .85 to engage this wallto hold the rod against 4outward movement., A stop collar 86 upontheopposite side of the leverarm `83- from the Ispring 82 limits theoutward movement of this arm on the rod under action of theLspring, butthe Vlever arm is spaced from the end of the extension 80 so that itmayswing inwardly and permit swinging movement of the lever 69 about itspivot 10 and against the actionof the spring 82 under conditions whichwill be described in the operation.

Also mountedon and secured -to the shaft 12 is a hand lever 81 on whichis a pivoted grip 88 to f operate a rod 89 connected with a catch 90adapted to seat in suitable notches in a segment 0I to lock the lever 81in different positions. The segment 9| is mountedon the bracket 13. Anelectric junction box` 02 may be mounted on the pedestal I0 `from whichsuitable leads connected to a plug-in cap,lnot shown, may fextend fto beplugged in to any suitable outlet receptacle in the shop Wiring system,and leads 93 may extend from this box to the switch 66 for supplyingheating current to the unit 64 in the ironing head. To control theoperation of the motor II there is mounted Yon the shaft 12 a suitableswitch 94, which for example may be a mercury switch controlling thecurrent to the motor preferably through a suitable relay or startingmechanism. This switch is mounted on the shaft 12 in such a positionthat when the lever 81 is in the full line position and therefore thesupport 1I and the ironing head 41 are in their retracted or inoperativeposition, as shown :in full lines inFig. l, the circuit to the Imotor isopened and the motor therefore is not operating, but when the lever 81is swung forwardly to press the ironing head against the article to beironed this switch will close the circuit and start the motor` operatingto rotate the gear Mythe hat blockll`3, and 4therefore the hat carriedthereby.

The housing11|2 andtheparts carried thereby including the hat bleek laare mounted foriirn` ited rocking movement `about a horizontal axlsso,that as the ,blockand .the hat rotate to carry the lugs `|02 aresecured to the underside ofthehousing and include bearings |03 on atransverse shaft |04 `mounted in the pedestal I0. On the underside of.the housing toward its upper or free edge is a lug |05 provided with arounded recess |06 :in its lower wall in which is seated the upperrounded end of a `rod |01. The lower rounded end of thisrod seats in arounded recess |08 in the top wall `of a lever |09 pivoted at I|0 to acurved bracket III mounted `on the inner wall of lthe pedestal I0 by anysuitable means, such as the screws II2. The recesses |06 and |08 aretapered so their entrances are larger than the rod |01 to permit rockingmovement of the rod inthe recesses. The pivot rod I|0 is mounted insuitable-bearinglugs I I3.

This lever |09 carries adjacent its free end a roller |-I4 vrunning onan eccentric -II5 carried by a shaft;` I|6mounted in a bearing |I1 inthe bracket I I I. Thisshaft projects through the wall of the pedestaland carries on its outer free end a grooved pulley IIB .operated by abelt II9 running over a pulley |20, `mounted on the worm shaft I1. Itwill be seen vthat the shaft IIE is therefore driven .from the shaft I1and as the shaft |I6 rotates it rotates the eccentric II5 which causes`the roller II4 and the free end of the lever |09 to move up and down.This movement is twicethe throwof the eccentric which does not need tobea `great deal, it having been found with theapparatus shown that aneccentric with its center about .le inch off the center of the shaft,thus .giving a throw of about 1/8 of an inch, is sufficient, although ofcourse the device is not limited to this figure but may be varied as itis Vfound desirable or to suit other portions of the device.

A tension spring I2I (Fig. 1) is secured to the upperfree edge of thehousing I2 and the upper portion of the pedestal' I0 tending to drawthis Yfree edge 4downwardly or to the left toward .the

pedestal. This retains the lug |05 against the push rod |01 and Aretainsthe parts in operative position and also insures downward movement ofther hat block during operation of the eccentric. It also preventsswinging of the upper edge of the block outwardly or to the right asviewed in Fig. l away `from the eccentric support and insures uniformmovement of the block under action of the eccentric. .It is preferredthat the push rod |01 be constructed withsome means to adjust its lengthfor `proper relative location of the parts. For this purpose it may beprovided with a noncircular end portion |22 tapped to receive thethreaded,A end .|23 of theY lower portion AI 01a of the rod, permittingthreading of this portion of the rod. more `or less into the upperportion to vary the length of the rod, and then after adjustment it maybe secured in adjusted positionuby a lock `nut |24.

The operation is as follows:

It will be seen from the above that `as, the hat block witha hat`thereon is rotated by the worm I6 and the gear I4 to carry the brimpast the c ironing Velements 49, the rotating eccentric `I I5 will movethe rod |01 up and down and will'irhpart this movement to the housing I2.and through ythis rod and the spring I 2| will rock the` housing 'aboutthe `pivot .104, thus shifting the hatbrimba'ckand forth to the rightand left as viewed in Fig. 1, relative yto the ironing, elements in adirection transversely of the brim at the same time a rotating movementof the block causes relative movement between the brim and the ironingelements longitudinally of the brim or around the hat. Because of thesetwo simultaneous movements the ironing elements really have a back andforth or a wavy path relative to the surface of the brim while passingaround the brim which overcomes or eliminates the effect of anynonuniform pressure or ironing of the brim so that there is uniformdrying throughout the entire surface of vthe brim and no watermarks orsimilar marks or surface variations are formed. It is the relativetransverse movements between the ironing elements and the brim, combinedwith the relative longitudinal movements, which secure this effect, andit is therefore immaterial whether it is the hat which is given thetransverse movements or whether it is the ironing elements. However, itis more convenient to impart this movement to the hat than to theironing elements and requires a simpler construction.

The ironing elements are normally in the position shown by the fulllines Fig. 1. The operator places a hat to be ironed on a suitable angeor block I3 while this block is removed from the machine and mounted ona suitable block support on a bench, table or other suitablesupport. Aspreviously indicated the hat is placed in the block with the crown 4Iextending down through the inner opening of the block and with its brim42 resting on the outer surface 43 of the block. The cloth 44 is thenstretched over this brim and secured in position by the clamping cord45. This cloth is drawn snugly over the brim so as to hold it in placeand care is taken to insure that the cloth is smooth with no folds orwrinkles. The cloth may then be moistened with a sponge or othersuitable means and the block with its hat is lifted from its support onthe bench and placed on the pins 31 on the support 3 I.

The operator then releases the lever 81 and draws it forwardly. It willbe understood the electric heating means in the ironing head has beenpreviously turned on so that the ironing elements 49 have been broughtto the proper temperature. As the lever 81 is swung forwardly it turnsthe shaft 12 and carries with it the support 1I and the ironing head 41to bring the ironing elements 49 against the brim of the hat on theblock, and it is locked in this forward position by the catch 90 seatingin a suitably located notch or stop 95 in the segment 9|. This action issecured by the arm 14 swinging forwardly with the lever 81 as they areboth secured to the shaft 12. This movement of the lever 14 actingthrough the spring 15 draws the support 1| forwardly, and the notch orstop 95 is so located that when the lever 81 is in the forward positionwith the ironing elements engaging the hat the spring 15 is tensioned,and therefore the ironing elements are held against the surface to beironed by the tension of the spring 15. This provides a yielding andproper pressure on the surface to be ironed automatically, merely by theoperation of swinging the lever 81 forwardly without any other action bythe operator, and the amount of the pressure being determined by thesetting of the adjusting means 18 for adjusting the tension of thespring 15. Also when the lever 81 is swung forwardly the switch 94 isturned to close the circuit to the motor l l which immediately starts toslowly rotate` the hat block past the ironing elements 49. It alsorotates the eccentric H which gives the hat a back and forth rockingmovement as previously described. This operation may continue for anydesired number of revolutions of the hat or until the desired ironinghas been completed, which will be readily known to the operator aftersome experience, but it will be seen that during the ironing operationthe entire curvature or transverse surface of the hat brim issimultaneously ironed by the plurality of ironing elements 49, so thatwhether the hat is given one or a plurality of revolutions the brim isgiven the desired and uniform ironing, except as it is Variedautomatically at certain parts of the periphery 0f the brim by theaction of the rotating means for the hat and the shape of the block, aswill presently be described. In order to prevent danger of the ironingelements 49 more or less digging into the surface to cause injury or anuneven surface the forward edges of these elements may be suitablyrounded as indicated at 50a.

It is found to be very desirable and to give much better results if theblock is inclined to the horizontal as indicated in Fig. 1. I prefer tomake this angle about 45, but I am by no means limited to this angle asit may be varied considerably. Also the ironing head 41 when in theretracted position is preferably above and to the rear of this inclinedblock, and therefore when it is swung forwardly to the ironing positionit is brought forwardly and downwardly against the curved surface of thearticle to be ironed. This places the proper pressure on the curvedportions vwhere it is ordinarily most diiicult to secure the properpressure and where it is wanted, instead of placing it principally onthe top as would be apt to be the case if the block were horizontal.

'I'he ir-oning head is also so placed in its supporting lever 69 thatwhen it is brought over to the ironing position the rear or lower tailportion 96 of the ironing elements engages the hat first, as shown bythe dotted lines in Fig. 1, and then tips to the dot and dash lineposition to engage the entire curved surface of the brim when the fullpressure is applied. This prevents the tendency ofthe upper or forwardportion to be pressed or dig into the surface more than the otherportion and thus mar the surface and give uneven ironing. This cannot bereadily done when the block is horizontal as it is difficult to securethe proper pressure on the edge portions, but this is readily securedwhen the block is inclined as described. Also, the strength of the brimis .in the curvature in the brim, and by this arrangement increasedpressure can be secured where it is most needed on the curved portion ofthe brim to give it its proper setting and strength. The heat andmoisture together with the pressure from the ironing operation shrinksthe brim onto the surface of the flange or block giving it the rightshape and necessary increased strength. That is, it sets the brim toconform to the shape of the iiange or block and sets the stiffening inthe hat. It also gives a fine uniform surface to the hat.

It will be evident that to secure the best ironing operation it isdesired that the ironing surfaces of the elements be in the samerelation to the surface being ironed throughout the entire operation, orthat is, throughout the entire periphery of the surface being ironed,and this ironing surface should be preferably tangent or parallel to thesurface being ironed, or that is, the center line 91 or plane of thehead as indicated in Fig. 3, should be maintained at substantially rightangles or normal to the surface of the hat at the ironing point. It isevident that, as a hat is not round but of general oval shape, if theblock were mounted' to rotate about a fixed axis the ironing elementswould beat different angles to the surface being ironed at differentpoints throughout the periphery of the brim. That is, the ironing headwould in effect rock somewhat back and forth to the opposite sides of aplane perpendicular or normal to the surface at thel ironing point sothat the pressure of the ironing elements would be greater on one sideof the point at one time and on the other side at another time, withcontinuous var l iations between, giving an uneven and varied ironing.

I have devised an improved and novel means for rotating the hat 'duringthe ironing operation whereby this objection is effectively overcome andthe surfaces of the ironing elements are maintained at all timessubstantially7 parallel to the surface being ironed atthe ironing point,or stated another way, center 91. or the plane of the ironing head isalways maintained at lsubstantially right angles to the; surfacev of thehat at the ironing point. This effect is secured by the mounting abovedescribed for the gear Itl which carries the hat supporting flange orblock, so that this gear has both rotary and limited lateral or bodilymovement on the: surface 22.

As the gear I4'rotates underaction of the worm I6 its inner periphery23.` which is of general oval shape, although irregular as; required,runs on the guide rollers 24 and 25, and the pins 31 are so placed onthe support 3|` that the long diameter of the hat corresponds with thelong diameter of the oval gear I4 and the. generally oval shaped camsurface 23. It is also common that the brims of hats are curved moretoward the rear portion thereof than at the front portion, and thestrength or stiffness of the-brim is secured primarily by the curvatureof this brim. The surface of the flange or block I3 is curved more or ison a shorter transverse curvature at the rear portion of the hat asindicated at 98, Fig. 3, and the forward portion of the flange orblockis flatter and wider as shown at 99; As the strength of the brim issecured by the proper curvature, greater pressure is required from theironing elements at the points of these greater curvatures than at theatter portions of the brim. These effects are also secured by this gearI4 and the method of mounting to secure combined rotary and limitedbodily movement. Thus as shown in Fig. 3 when the long diameter of thehat, and therefore the gear I4, is horizontal thek elements 49 areironing the intermediate side portions of the brim and the hat is heldinsubstantially central position by the less acutely curved portion 23a ofcam 23 running onl the rollers 24 and 25, but as the gear I4 continuesto rotate in the direction of the arrow |00 the side4 portions ofthebrim toward the rear of the hat, which are the more curved, portions ofthe brim and give the greatest support,4

are brought into engagement with the ironing elements. This is theposition of Fig. 3,V the greatest diameter of the oval being. indicatedby the line IUI. At this time the properlyshaped por.-

tions 23h and 23e of the cam surface 23 run onto the guide rollers 25and 24V and shift the gearI I4 bodily and with it the hat block,|3 topress the hat brim more firmly into the ironing elements. This shiftsthe ironing elements and the head supporting them backwardly which mayfurther tension the spring 15 and also compress the spring 82, thusautomatically increasing the ironing pressure on these more acutelycurved portions of the hat brim to give it. the necessarypressure toproperly form it around the more acutely curved portion of the hat blockand cause it to properly conform to this surface, and give the propershape and strength to the brim where this greater i strength and shapingaction is required.

As the rotation of the .gear I4 continues, the action `of the cam 23`cooperating with the rollers 24'rand 25 continues to give the propershifting of thegear I4' and hat block I3 throughout the remainder oftheironing action on the hat brim, the pressure being greater on theironing of the rear or more curved portions of the brim and less at the.front or less curved portions of the brim.

This bodily shifting of the gear I4 also compensates for the irregularor general oval shape of the hat brim so that the ironing surfaces 50 ofthe ironing elements 49 are maintained substantially parallel with thesurface being ironed at the ironing pointor point of contact throughoutthe entireperiphery of the brim. In other words the center 91 or theplane of the ironing head is automatically retained at substantiallyright angles to the surface being ironed throughout the entire.periphery, giving a much better and more uniformly finished surface. Thepivotal mounting of the ironing elements also permits them to rockslightly as the hat support is rocked back `and forthby the eccentric II5 so that their ironing surfaces may adjust themselves to the surlfaceofthe brim and properly engage this surface andl to the best advantageat all times.

Having thus set forth the nature of my inven-V tion, what Iclaim is:

l. In a hat ironing machine, an annular hat 4supporting block having atransversely curved side of and at the higher part of theblock, means`i` forshifting the head to and. from the block and to press theelements against the block to iron a hat brim thereon, pivotal mountingmeans for the block adjacent the lower portion thereof to permit it torock about a horizontal axis, means 'for rotating the block, and meansfor at the same time rocking the block about said pivot to movel thebrim transversely relative to the iron ing head.

2. In a hat ironing machine, an oval annular hat supporting block havinga transversely curved outer surface to support and shape the brim of ahat, -an ironing head having ironing surfaces arrangedin a curve similarto that of the block to iron aV hat` brim on the block, means foryieldiinglypressing. said surfaces against the block, means for rotatingthe block and at the same time shifting said block laterally to maintainthe ironing surfaces at all `times substantially parallel to the surfaceof the-brim at the ironing point, and means for` rocking the block backand forth in adirection transversely of the brim during said rotatingmovement.

3; :In a hat ironing machine, an oval annular hat supporting blockhaving a transversely curved outer surface to support and shape a hatbrim, a base` having a plane surface, a support for said block mountedon said surface for rotating and limited lateral movements, means havingironing surfaces arranged in a curve similar to that of the block toiron a brim on said block, means fory yieldingly pressing said surfacesagainst the block, means for rotating said support, means for guidingsaid support on said surface to shift the block toward and from the headat predetermined portions of its rotative movement different amounts tovary the pressure of the ironing means on the brim at predeterminedpoints, means for pivotally mounting the base to swing about ahorizontal axis, and means for rocking the, base back and forth aboutsaid axis during rotative movements of the support.

4. In a hat ironing machine, a base, a support pivoted to the upper partof the base, an annular hat supporting block mounted on the supporthaving a transversely curved outer surface to support and shape the brimof a hat, an ironing head including ironing surfaces arranged in a curvesimilar to that of the block, means for yieldingly pressing saidsurfaces against the block, means for rotating the block to carry theIbrim past the ironing head, and means for at the same time continuouslyrocking the support to cause relative lateral movement between the brimand the ironing surfaces in a direction'transversely of the brim.

5. In a hat ironing machine, a base, a support pivoted to the upper partof the base, an annular hat supporting block mounted on the supporthaving a transversely curved outer surface t support and shape the brimof a hat, an ironing head including a plurality of ironing elementsmounted with their ironing surfaces arranged in a curve similar to thatof the block, means for yieldinlgly pressing said elements against theblock, means for rotating the block to carry the brim past saidelements, means for at the same time continuously rocking the support tocause relative lateral movement between the elements and the brim in adirection transversely of the brim, and means for pivotally mounting theindividual elements so that they may rock to maintain their surfacessubstantially parallel to the surface of the brim.

6. In a hat ironing machine, a base, a support pivoted to the upper partof the base, an annular hat supporting block mounted on the support andhaving a transversely curved outer surface to support and shape the brimof a hat, an ironing head comprising a plurality of ironing elementsmounted with their ironing surfaces arranged in a curve similar to thatof the block, means for yieldingly pressing said elements against theblock, an eccentric in the base, means for rotating the block on thesupport to carry the brim past the ironing elements, means for drivingthe eccentric, and an operative connection from the eccentric to thesupport to rock the support on its pivot during rotation of the block toat the same time cause relative lateral movement between the ironingelements and the brim inl a direction transversely of the brim.

7. In a hat ironing machine, a hollow base, an inclined supportpivotally mounted on the base, an annular hat supporting block mountedon the support provided with a transversely curved outer surface tosupport and shape the brim of a hat, an ironing head including ironingelements mounted with their ironing surfaces arranged in a curve similarto that of the block, means for yieldingly pressing the ironing elementsagainst the block at the upper part thereof, means for rotating theblock on the support to carry a hat brim thereon past said elements, ashaft mounted in the base, means for driving the shaft, an eccentric onthe shaft, a lever pivotally mounted in the base and carrying meansbearing on the eccentric, and an operative connection from the lever tothe block support to rock said support on its pivot during turningmovements of the block.

8. In a hat ironing machine, an annular hat supporting elementcomprising a block, an ironing element including heated ironing means toiron the brim of a hat supported on said block by pressing the brimbetween said means and block, means to rotate the hat supporting elementwhile said ironing means is pressed against said brim to iron the brim,and means for continuously shifting one of said elements back and forthrelative to the other in a direction transversely of the brim while thehat supporting element is rotating to cause continuous, short relativeback and forth movement between the ironing means and the brim in adirection transversely of the brim while the brim moves longitudinallypast the ironing means.

9. In a, hat ironing machine, an element for supporting a hat brimcomprising a block including a supporting surface for the brim, a heatedironing element for ironing the -brim by pressing it on said supportingsurface, means for causing relative movement between the ironing elementand the brim around and longitudinally of the brim, and means for at thesame time continuously shifting one of said elements back and forthrelative to the other in a direction transversely of said movement tocause continuous, short relative back and forth movement between theironing element and the brim in a direction transversely of this brim. y

10. In a hat ironing machine, an annular hat supporting membercomprising a block having a transversely curved outer surface to supportand shape the brim of a hat, an ironing member comprising a plurality ofindividually yieldable ironing elements mounted with their ironingsurfaces arranged in a curve similar to that of the block, a support formounting the ironing member to move to and from engagement with a brimvon the block, means for rotating the block, and means for continuouslyshifting one of said members back and forth relative to the other in adirection transversely of the brim while the block Ais rotating to causecontinuous, short relative back and forth movement between the ironingelements and the brim in a direction transversely of the,

brim while the brim moves longitudinally past these elements.

11. In a hat ironing machine, an annular hat supporting member having atransversely curved outer surface to support and shape the brim of ahat, means for supporting said member inclined to the horizontal, anironing member comprising a plurality of individually yieldable ironingelements mounted with their ironing surfaces arranged in a curve similarto that of the block and to simultaneously iron the full transversesurface of the brim, means for mounting the ironing member to one sideof and at the higher part of the hat supporting member, means forshifting the ironing member to and from the hat supporting member and topress the elements against a hat brim on the latter member to iron saidbrim, means for rotating the block, and means for at the same timecontinuously shifting one of said members back and forth relative to theother in a direction transversely of the brim to cause continuous, shortrelative back and forth movement between the ironing elements and thebrim in a direction transversely of said brim as the brim moveslongitudinally past said elements.

12. In a hat ironing machine, an oval annular hat supporting elementhaving a transversely curved outer surface to support and shape the brimof a hat, an ironing element having ironing surfaces arranged in a curvesimilar to that of the hat supporting element to iron a hat brim on saidlatter element, means for yieldingly pressing said surfaces against thebrim. and means for rotating the hat supporting element and at the sametime continuously shifting one of said elements back and forth relativeto the other element in the direction of said transverselyl curvedsurface to cause continuous, short relative back and forth movementbetween the ironing surfaces and the brim in a direction transversely ofthe brim as said brim moves I longitudinally past the ironing surfaces.

13. In a hat ironing machine, an oval annular hat supporting elementhaving a transversely curved outer surface to support and shape a hatbrim, a base having a plane surface, a support for said element mountedon said surface for rotating and limited lateral movements, an ironingelement having ironing surfaces arranged in a curve similar to that ofthe hat supporting element to iron a brim on said latter element, meansfor yieldingly pressing said ironing surfaces against the brim, meansfor at the same time continuously shifting one of said elements back andforth relative to the other in a direction transversely of the brim tocause continuous,

relative short back and forth movement between said ironing surfaces andthe brim as the brim moves longitudinally past said surfaces. and meansfor laterally shifting the hat supporting element toward and from theironing element at predetermined portions of its rotation to vary thepressure of said surfaces on the brim.

14. In a hat ironing machine, an oval annular hat supporting memberhaving a transversely curved outer surface to support and shape a hatbrim, an ironing member having ironing surfaces arranged in a curvesimilar to that of the supporting member to iron `a brim on the lattermember, means for yieldingly pressing said surfaces against the brim onthe supporting member, mean for imparting to the supporting membercombined rotative and limited lateral bodily movements relative to theironing member during the ironing operation to maintain the ironingsurfaces substantially parallel to the surface in contact therewith atall times, and means for at the same time continuously shifting one ofsaid members back and forth relative to the other in a directionVtransversely of the brim to cause continuous, short relative back andforth movement between the ironing surfaces and the brim in a directiontransversely of the brim as said brim moves longitudinally past saidsurfaces.

15. In a hat ironing machine, a base, a support pivoted to the base, anannular hat supporting block mounted on the support, an ironing headincluding means for ironing the brim of the hat on the block, means forrotating the block to carry the brim longitudinally past the ironingmeans, and means for at the same time continuously rocking the supportback and forth on its pivot to provide continuous, short relativemovement between the ironing means and the brim in a directiontransversely of the brim as said brim moves longitudinally past theironing means.

STEPHEN J. MILLER.

